In: Economics
Imagine you consume two goods, X and Y, and your utility function is U = X1/2Y1/4. Your budget is M = 630; PX = $10; PY = $30. Now imagine PX increases to $25. The compensated price bundle is (30.9458, 12.8941). What is the income effect on X?
U=X^(1/2) Y^(1/4)
MRS= -MUx/MUy= -(0.5/0.25)(y/x)= -2y/x
New Budget line Equation:
25X+30Y= 630
-Px/Py= -25/30= -5/6
At equilibrium
MRS=Px/Py
-2y/x=-5/6
12y=10x
1.2y=x
25*1.2y+30y=630
60y=630
y*= 10.5
x*= 1.2*10.5= 12.6
New demand for good x= 12.6
Compensated demand for good x= 30.9458
Income effect= compensated demand- New demand= 18.3458
Income effect on good x= 18.3458